Southwest Airlines Scraps A-List Tiers in Rapid Rewards Overhaul, Previews Chase-Branded Lounges

Under the new structure, current A-List members will be moved into Silver status, while A-List Preferred members will receive Gold, the carrier said. The airline said the three-tier ladder gives customers more opportunities to collect benefits as they engage with the program.

Southwest is also adding so-called Milestone Rewards, which extend perks to members at points between the main status levels. The carrier cited the example of benefits available to customers before they reach Silver status, part of an effort to reward progress rather than only top-tier flyers.

The Dallas-based airline gave a first look at its lounge concept, which is being designed in partnership with Chase. Southwest has been preparing to open lounges as part of a wider push to court premium travelers, a segment it has historically served less directly than its larger network rivals.

All of the loyalty changes take effect on January 1, 2027. Until then, the existing two-tier structure of A-List and A-List Preferred remains in place.

The revamp marks the latest shift for Southwest, whose simplified single-cabin model and no-frills positioning long distinguished it from competitors. With three status tiers and its own lounges, the airline is adopting features that have become standard among the major U.S. carriers it once sought to set itself apart from.